Table game revenue up, but older casinos see drop-off

Sunday

Feb 17, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Half of the state's 10 casinos that were in operation in both January 2012 and January 2013 reported lower gross table game revenues year-to-year, including Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs and Mount Airy Casino Hotel.

ANDREW M. SEDER

Half of the state's 10 casinos that were in operation in both January 2012 and January 2013 reported lower gross table game revenues year-to-year, including Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs and Mount Airy Casino Hotel.

But overall, statewide, gross revenue from gambling at table games in the commonwealth's 11 casinos was $59,378,324 — a 12 percent increase over January 2012. Take the $2.5 million raised by the Valley Forge Casino Resort, which didn't open until March, out of the equation, and revenues still grew by 7 percent.

At $3.591 million, Mohegan Sun in Plains Township realized a $707,000, or 16 percent, decrease in gross revenue for its 84 table games compared to January 2012. But it was an increase of $272,000 compared to December. And a 9 percent increase compared to January 2011, said casino General Manager Mike Bean.

He attributed the decrease to weather. January 2012 had unseasonably warm weather; January 2013 was cold and had snow and ice storms.

"We had a very good 2012, which was up 30 percent from January 2011," Bean noted. He said 2013 was a very good month but compared to the great numbers in January 2012, the numbers don't reflect that.

"All things considered, we had a decent month," Bean said.

Mount Airy, in Paradise Township, Monroe County and the closest casino to Mohegan Sun, saw a .8 percent decrease in gross revenue for its 72 table games compared to January 2012.

The other casinos to see drop-offs in gross table game revenues in January were The Meadows Racetrack and Casino near Pittsburgh, Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack in Chester and Presque Isle Downs and Casino in Erie.

Table games played this January at the 11 casinos in operation generated tax revenue of more than $8.5 million.